Triestina Manager Marino Takes Full Responsibility for Defeat to Arzignano
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A disappointing performance and a lack of the necessary “warrior mentality” led to a setback for US Triestina, according to manager Giuseppe Marino following their match against Arzignano on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Following a recent string of positive results, the defeat has prompted a frank assessment from the team’s leadership, with Marino accepting full accountability for the team’s lackluster showing. The manager emphasized a critical miscalculation in preparing the squad for the intensity of the match.
“We had the wrong attitude, we were late on all the second balls, on all the duels,” Marino stated. “Unfortunately we don’t have the time in our favor, but this is a defeat that says a lot, because last week we thought we had solved all the problems and instead that wasn’t the case.”
The core issue, according to Marino, was a failure to instill a sufficient sense of urgency and competitive fire within the team. He admitted to prioritizing serenity over a battle-ready mindset during the week leading up to the game. “I take full responsibility for it, evidently during the week I conveyed a lot of serenity and little in making people understand that we were going to face a war,” he explained. “This must teach us that if we don’t face every team with the right attitude, the risk is to suffer a defeat like this.”
Tactical Shortcomings and Key Moments
Triestina’s planned strategy of high pressure and aggressive dueling proved ineffective, as the team consistently arrived late to challenges. The manager pinpointed specific moments in the match that proved pivotal. “In the first half there were essentially two episodes, with that free kick and the counterattack taken at the end, in the second half they instead hurt us on the right chain,” Marino detailed.
He stressed the importance of resilience and preventing opponents from gaining momentum. “We are a team that cannot allow events to go against us, we cannot concede certain situations to our opponents and we need to work on that, as well as on our attitude.” The manager also observed a degree of presumption within the team’s performance, a factor he directly attributed to his own oversight.
Looking Ahead: Focus on Attitude and Consistency
Despite the setback, Marino remains optimistic and is already focusing on preparations for the next match. He emphasized the need for a consistent level of intensity, regardless of opponent or individual player experience. “Whether young or experienced, I am the one who must make them understand that they must face all matches with the same hunger,” he asserted.
The team will be without Faggioli for the upcoming fixture, but Marino expressed confidence in the squad’s professionalism and commitment. “The boys know very well that every match is an opportunity to try to earn something, they are a responsible group and they know it but it is certainly me who has to make the most impact.”
Marino firmly rejected any notion of surrender, stating, “Honoring the championship is a concept that smacks of surrender, we have not given up and just as a victory should not exalt us, in the same way a defeat should not depress us.” He concluded by reiterating his commitment to fostering a cohesive team spirit and demanding a higher level of performance from each player. “The group must be cohesive and always believe that it can achieve something…we must always put our face forward and always leave the field with our heads held high, which did not happen today and I repeat, I take responsibility for it.”
(Ph. Mariani – Rota for US Triestina Calcio 1918)
